Adapting Agriculture: Mitigating Climate Change Effects on Crop Quality and Nutrition

The agricultural sector is facing the daunting challenge of climate change, which is not only impacting crop yields but also altering the quality attributes of cultivated plants essential for human nutrition and agriculture. With rising temperatures, increasing levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂), and unpredictable precipitation patterns, the nutritional composition, sensory properties, and shelf life of crops are undergoing significant changes. These alterations jeopardize food security, as even if yields remain stable or increase, the health benefits and quality standards of food can be affected.

Recent studies have shown that changes in temperature and CO₂ levels directly impact the macronutrient and micronutrient profiles of plants. Elevated levels of CO₂ tend to enhance carbohydrate content but reduce protein and vital mineral concentrations, such as iron and zinc. Increased temperatures can lead to the reduction of vitamins and antioxidants, resulting in nutritionally deprived crops, which severely affect communities relying on these plants. The sensory attributes—taste, texture, color, and aroma—are vulnerable to climatic shifts, with higher temperatures affecting pigment synthesis. Drought and flooding contribute to unfavorable changes in flavor profiles and appearance, potentially diminishing consumer appeal and marketability. In addition, climate stress affects post-harvest conditions, with temperature fluctuations accelerating crop spoilage and increasing susceptibility to pests and diseases.

This Research Topic aims to investigate the profound effects of climate change on the quality attributes of cultivated plants. We strive to identify strategies to develop climate-resilient agricultural practices, focusing on breeding for nutrient density, disease resistance, and temperature tolerance. By implementing post-harvest technologies that preserve storage, quality, and reduce spoilage, we aim to address these climate-induced challenges.

To gather further insights into adapting agricultural systems amidst climate change, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Nutritional composition alterations under climate stress
• Impact on sensory properties of crops
• Strategies for extending self-life and quality post-harvest
• Developing climate-resilient crop varieties
• Policy implications and global health considerations in the context of climate change and food security.

We are interested in receiving Original Research, Reviews, Methods, and Opinion articles among others within this thematic framework.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Climate change, Crop quality, Nutritional composition, Sensory properties, Food security, Carbon dioxide impact, Agricultural adaptation, post-harvest technology, Climate-resilient crops, Global health impacts

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.